San Mateo Daily Journal (CA) - A different kind of home school

San Mateo Daily Journal (CA)
A different kind of home school
By Heather Murtagh

May 1, 2007

Six-year-old Tiara Testa sounded out words while working on her phonics Tuesday morning.

“Mmm-a-tuh-ch,” she said while putting up a finger for each syllable. “Match. What’s a match? Is that the thing that makes fire?”

Her mom, Alisha, answered, “Yes. That’s what you use to start a fire.”

The pair begins each day at 9 a.m. working on the kindergartner’s daily class work. The Testas are one of many families across the country opting to teach their children at home with the help of a virtual charter school. The California Virtual Academy is a network of eight different schools throughout the state — locally it’s chartered through the Jefferson Elementary School District. About 5,000 students statewide, 500 in San Mateo County, participate in the at-home system.

Each family enrolled receives a computer with all the supplies needed to complete assignments designed in the curriculum.

In 1982, the U.S. Department of Education showed 50,000 children were home schooled. This year, the estimate is at 2.2 million. The growing trend poses an issue of parents knowing how and what to teach children. This program is designed to provide a publicly-funded school at home with the help of teachers and administrators at all times.

“Our society is changing. Let’s let the kids be more instructionally literate. Every family is given a computer, helping let them become more technologically literate,” said Gillis.

Even though the classroom is at home, students have a chance to interact with other children with monthly field trips, back-to-school nights and end-of-the-year celebrations, said Administrator Lisa Gillis.

“We know it’s not right for 100 percent of the kids, just like nothing is right for 100 percent of kids,” she said.

Of the six children in the Daly City family, two are enrolled in CVA, 6-year-old Tiara and 14-year-old James.

James Testa began taking the virtual classes last year after attending a regular public school. Next year, he plans to return to a normal high school so he can play on the basketball team. Switching to doing school work at home was a challenge for James who basically works on his own and asks for help as needed.

Teachers are built into the program responsible for 25 students. Each home must get a visit from the teacher at least five times per year, more often if needed.

Suzi Mattish began working as a CVA teacher in October 2005 because she was interested in the unique approach.

“I’ve been at the brick and mortar schools for four years. ... I was really excited about trying to do something different,” said the master teacher of community day.

Mattish was introduced to the program when her sister began looking for other options for Mattish’s nephew.

When a family is enrolled, they are assigned a teacher. The Testas, for example, have one teacher who is available to both James and Tiara.

“That teacher is a support for the parent, as well as the student. You go in and help the students as needed face to face and teaching lessons. Some need more one-on-one help,” said Mattish.

This unique setup requires teachers to have knowledge of more than one topic for multiple grade levels. Sometimes, this becomes too much work. That’s where the master teachers, like Mattish, come in. Mattish began as a classroom teacher and became a masters teacher. When teachers have questions, they call Mattish. As a general education teacher she met with 25 different students throughout the year. Teachers are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the virtual classroom and by telephone. Online tutorials are available as well, however James Testa always asks his older sister 16-year-old Moriah first.

Alisha Testa sees a change in her son since he’s taken on this responsibility. He’s organizing himself more, creating more structure in his life and no longer a lazy thinker, she said. She’s confident these skills will be helpful in high school.

Tiara Testa chose to stay at home and work with her mom after attending four weeks of kindergarten.

“All you do is art, every single day,” she said.

Now she works with her mom. Tiara Testa especially loves history because there are pictures and stories that go along with the lesson plan.

“You can go as fast as you want or as slow as you want. We can go back and make sure she really knows everything,” said Alisha Testa.

The program allows for students to have lessons tailored to their learning levels. Tiara Testa, for example, is learning first grade math. She’s working on clocks and telling time.

Students spend more time online as they get older. Kindergartners spend about 20 percent of their day online. It increases until high school, when students should be more self sufficient with assignments and class time, said Gillis.

James Testa, for example, works completely independently unless he needs help.

Students have the opportunity for many field trips — at least one option a month to meet with other local children. Alisha Testa has met such wonderful people through this program, she said she’d do it again just to meet everyone.

Parents go through training before taking the responsibility of teaching the kids. Each assignment is laid out for parents to follow, with all needed materials included.

“It’s an opportunity for parents who see, maybe school isn’t working,” Alisha Testa said. “It’s an alternative for parents to help their children excel in a short time.”

For more information about the California Virtual Academy visit www.caliva.org .
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